Pre-season is fast approaching ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and Aston Villa’s squad is beginning to take shape. Not much transfer business has taken place just yet but several players have departed at the end of their contracts and loans and many deals are in the works, both for ins and outs.
Villa have managed to escape their concerns regarding the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) but still need to focus on reducing their wage bill to meet the demands of UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR). Several high-earning players could leave in the coming weeks to facilitate that, with the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey among those linked with moves away.
Once the SCR situation is resolved, Unai Emery can begin to look at improving his squad. The Villans still won’t be able to go gung-ho with new additions but Monchi and Emery will have a bit more freedom to address what the squad needs. Villa want to be in the fight for Champions League football again, after all, while a decent run in the UEFA Europa League and domestic cup competitions will be targeted as Emery eyes his first trophy as Villa boss.
Who could come and who could go this summer, then? Well, so much is still up in the air but we here at Birmingham World have taken a deep dive into the likeliest sales and signings. With that in mind, click through the pages to see how Villa’s squad could shape up for the 2025/26 season – as well as explanations for each and every player listed.
.jpeg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
1. How Aston Villa's new-look squad could look like for 2025-26
With all of the likeliest ins and outs, here's a full run-through. | Getty Images
2. IN: Lucas Chevalier
Villa are strongly considering making an official bid for LOSC Lille goalkeeper Chevalier as Emiliano Martinez appears to be on his way out to ease SCR concerns. The 23-year-old, who recently won the Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Season award, is current France’s number two behind AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Joe Gauci
Set to return from his six-month loan deal at Barnsley, Gauci will likely be Villa’s backup goalkeeper now that Robin Olsen has been released. The Australia international has a long way to go to be Premier League quality but his development could be aided by starts in the cup. | Getty Images
4. Matty Cash
Expected to continue as Villa’s starting right-back at the beginning of next season, Cash was in fine form during the second half of 2024/25. Although he made a mistake against Man Utd on the final day, Cash proved to be a reliable option much of the time. | Getty Images